NORTH BATTLEFORD — “How do we engage students and offer a variety of experiences?” Tonya Lehman asked as she presented an idea to the Living Sky School Division's board at their Jan. 18 meeting, detailing a sports academy program that may be built into North Battleford Comprehensive High School this fall.
Global Sports Academy is an organization for students to pursue their passion for sports, supported by academic and athletic leadership.
According to Lehman, the organization would work in collaboration with the school division for customization to ensure that programs fulfill community-specific needs such as:
- connection to community for students,
- a “draw” for people searching for schools,
- and engagement with school for students.
Set to focus primarily on Grades 7, 8 and 9, the program would focus on hockey during the winter and could be multi-sport during the rest of the year.
Lehman says the program would also be cost-neutral for the school division and is tailored to fit every school and community.
“One size does not fit all,” reminds Lehman.
The program would be open to all students, though there is a cost for families that would be used for facility rental, extra student support and program development. Lehman said it could involve grants, agencies or partnerships as they continue further down the process.
Lehman also said that it likely wouldn’t be directed toward students who haven’t already engaged in hockey, mentioning that there is a possibility of creating an art or fine arts academy for a different group of students in the future.
“We’re building a relationship with those kids …”
The cost will not make or break students from becoming involved with the program. More information will be available as the program is finalized and implemented in the future.
